Praise for Music and Mind
“At a time when the bonds of our common humanity are being stretched to the limits, at the same time as the intensifying stresses on our personal well-being, Renée’s book is a timely reminder that music is the meta language that connects all individuals and spans all cultures, religions, and races. Music has never been more important.”
—Sting
“This lyrical book opens our hearts and minds to the vast potential of the creative arts—music, dance, and synchronous movements—to sooth, comfort and connect to each other, and thereby promote health and well-being. The authors, some of the most luminous musicians, dancers, physicians, and neuroscientists of our time, all are deeply engaging, sometimes even magical, writers. This book inspires us all to immerse ourselves in the vast potential of music and other creative arts to heal our wounds, sharpen our minds, enliven our bodies, and restore our broken connections.”
—Bessel van der Kolk
“Renée Fleming has the voice of an angel and the brain of a scholar. Her boundless curiosity has enabled her to assemble a myriad of experts to explore this exciting new field of science. Her work has given me a new appreciation of the wonders of music and the impact it has on our brains as well as our lives.”
—Katie Couric
“Brava, Renée, for assembling this groundbreaking collection of writings on music and the brain, with all the latest fascinating connections and possibilities splendidly presented. This volume will be a touchstone not only for researchers and musicians, but also for plain old music-lovers and good-book-lovers like myself.”
—Jamie Bernstein
“Renée’s deep commitment to the powerful intersection of art and wellness is an inspiration. These studies are a beacon leading us to the inevitable realization that art is essential to humanity. I highly recommend this book for musicians and non-musicians alike. In our current divisive world, art offers hope, comfort and healing.”
—Marin Alsop
“This extraordinary volume edited by Renée Fleming is the most comprehensive compilation of the role of music in every aspect of life, from biological evolution to our own mental, physical, and spiritual well-being. The meaning of life is in the music of life.”
—Deepak Chopra
“An illustrative primer on the potential of music to enhance our health, wellbeing, and societies, the book makes a compelling case.”
—Lancet
“[A] stimulating anthology. . . . Taken together, the essays reflect a ‘human-centric’ model of care that smoothly integrates traditional scientific research and intuitive notions of integrative health. The result is an expansive and thought-provoking look at the dynamic intersection between art and science.”
—Publishers Weekly
“Compelling. . . . A must-read for anyone who questions the health benefits of music.”
—Kirkus Reviews
“Art and science, both reliant on creativity, are powerful lenses through which to comprehend the world. This anthology edited by renowned singer Fleming celebrates the convergence of these two domains. . . . Whether readers’ tastes trend toward beautifully organized sound, comforting random background noise, or even ear-wrecking hard rock, chances are this vibrant tome will resonate.”
—Booklist
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